Vacation

Trevor has last week off and it was awesome!!! We spent a lot of time at home teaching Kyle how to use the potty which worked and made the whole week a huge success. Nobody needs all the details but for posterity sake the first two days were rough...he just did not get what he was suppose to do and held it all day until he burst. He had some accidental success just sitting on the potty watching tv. On the third day something clicked and he has been almost perfect since. Hooray for no more size 6 diapers!!! We really did not do much and when we did I did not have my camera. Trevor got my to do list checked off and we played a lot of Wii and ate dinner together like a normal family. So this was actually not during the week off but it is a funny story. We went to the park to have a picnic with some friends and there were some boys there climbing trees. Emma has always wanted to read a book in a tree...or so she said at the park. At first Emma could not get into the tree but Abby managed to get up with a little help from Trevor.

Emma got frustrated and decided to climb a smaller tree. She read for a while but you can tell from the pic she is not very comfy.

She decided to try again with some help from her dad and she made it and accomplished her dream for the day.

We snapped some pictures of our cute kids.

The weather during vacation week was perfect. The beach was beautiful with no crowds.

Zac enjoyed the sun too!

Our big trip of the vacation was a whale watching boat trip. It was a windy day which made for rough water on the boat but it was SO MUCH FUN! Kyle did not understand what all the fuss was about. He just wanted to sit and eat his snacks and he SCREAMED when they ran out, but when he finally saw a dolphin he thought is was pretty awesome.

The girls had a blast. They made friends with some other kids on the boat and had no problems getting around on the rocky boat. They were sad to not see a whale but they loved all the dolphins and sea lions. It was a great day at sea :)

It was a nice week and I already can't wait for the next one.

Catching Up Again

I am going to attempt to cover the last few months...try to keep up.

OCTOBER

This little guy is growing up. In October he got his first teeth and was rolling everywhere.

Kyle continued to love preschool. These are his dino feet.

In October I took Emma and Abby to Vegas to catch up with some awesome ladies. These fabulous women were all friends from Philly and running in a Rager race. I have never wanted to be a runner more just so I could spend more time with these ladies but it was fun just to see them before and after their race. It was my first trip away from my boys and I missed them more than I imagined but it was an awesome trip.

I was not the only one who got to catch up with old friends. Emma and Abby were friends with Maggie and Audrey our first year in Philly and even though they only see each other occasionally they are great friends.I just love this picture. My boys working!

We carved pumpkins and contrary to Abby's face she really enjoyed it.

Kyle REALLY wanted to be Lightning McQueen and with a little help from the Internet and Trevor I was able to make it happen. I have never had more fun making a costume. The look on his face when he saw it was so worth the time.

This the the best pic I could get...these kids did not want to stop collecting candy.

The preschool group...love these kids.

My favorite costume of the year...Nacho! He was missing his cape for this pic but you get the point.

WAY TO MUCH CANDY!!!

NOVEMBER

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year. It was so much fun! Emma made a fruit turkey with Grandma and Aunt Kaylee. She was pretty pleased with it.

We managed to get everyone sitting around the table. I really appreciated all my blessing this year. It was so fun to be surrounded by friends and family.

Abby turned into curly sue one Sunday morning.

Abby was student of the month. Her teacher had really nice things to say about her. Her award said "Abby has a positive attitude, works hard and gets along with all her classmates. Simply put she is WONDERFUL! I enjoy working with her and I sure do appreciate her."

DECEMBER

This little man started to crawl and sit in the same weekend. None of my kids moved this early and I am not sure that I am ready for it but it sure does make him happy.

This girls built their tallest tower yet with a little help from Trevor.

Cowboy Zac dressed up by sister Abby.

Glasses courtesy of you guessed it...Abby.

We took a trip to the LA temple to see the Christmas lights. It was actually a warm night and we were a little over dressed but we still enjoyed our hot chocolate when we were done. One happy happy family.

We decorated gingerbread houses. I love the difference between the girls sides of the houses. Emma's is pretty neat and organized.

Abby stuck as much candy as she could on her side. I am surprised the roof did not collapse.

This guy just ate candy but he was happy.

We went to the science museum and the kids got to make gingerbread go karts. They were kind of a pain to make but we were all amazed when they actually rolled down the track (the wheels were make out of ritz crackers!!!)

Christmas Eve was perfect! We had an amazing dinner cooked by my hubby on our new grill. This pic cracks me up because we were so excited about starting a fire. It is so funny to see them in front of the fire in shorts.After dinner we did the nativity story. My parents were great sports. My dad got to play all three wise men since we were a little short on actors.

Then we opens some gifts. My kids are very lucky.

Love those eyes!

Christmas morning was lots of fun. Trevor was able to round early and make it home for presents and church which was the best Christmas gift of all!

LOVE HER FACES!

Hers are pretty good too!

It was tough to get this kid to even look at the camera. He was way to interested in his toys.

Emma got her American Girl doll from Santa.

Abby got her Polly Pocket Race to the Concert set.

Kyle loved his tools although you can't tell from his face.

Proof Zac was there.

After all the fun of Christmas was had even more fun at Knotts with my Aunt Lisa and Uncle Brad and their daughter Jenna. Emma said it was the best trip to Knotts EVER!

Next up was Abbys birthday. Grandma and Grandpa Griffitts sent some money for Abby to pick out her own American Girl doll. We decided to keep it a suprise. From the parking lot the girls could see the Hollywood sign which from their reaction could have been Abbys gift.

Here she is talking to Grandpa finding out where she get to go.

Abby chose a look a like doll complete with glasses and freckles.

My girls with their dolls.

Abby wanted a three layer cake. My mom was kind enough to make one for her and then let her decorate it with left over christmas candy.

Abbys traditional birthday dinner...waffles.

And then there were more presents...a Lego game from Grandma and Grandpa.

A really cool shirt from Aunt Shayla that she can color with special markers and then wear. When it is washed the colors come off and she can color it again.

Emma gave her a coupon book which included things like a room cleaning, a closet cleaning and all sorts of other things Abby does not like to do.

After Abbys birthday we got to celebrate my Grandma's birthday who was visiting from Boston. My Grandma is an amazing woman. Just being in the same room with her makes me feel good. She is everything I hope to be. Here she is with some of her grandkids.

Here she is with my kiddos. They love her as much as I do. There is just something about her and I love her!

Well there is a random recap of our crazy life. Hopefully this year with bring more consistent blogging although I can't promise and less crazyness.